Nicole Scherzinger - Killer Love

Nicole Scherzinger has always turned heads. When burlesque act the Pussycat Dolls was being recast as an r&b-style pop group, the cappuccino-colored beauty was chosen as its lead singer. Scherzinger personified the Pussycat image, purring sexy lines and performing suggestive dance routines in lingerie. The group’s albums sold six million copies and she was in demand as a duet partner for male artists like Shaggy and Will Smith.

Scherzinger began working on her own album shortly after the release of the Dolls’ debut. Several singles emerged, but the appearance of the second Pussycat disc, Doll Domination, derailed the album. Earlier this year, Killer Love finally came out in Europe. Originally intended to be called Her Name is Nicole, the album is now available here and Scherzinger is relieved. “Being on my own as a performer after the Pussycat Dolls was very liberating,” says the singer, who appears this fall as a judge on the U.S. version of The X Factor. “I wanted to do something big, powerful and dangerous—I wanted to make music with teeth.”

Killer Love boasts a big sound, with Scherzinger’s powerhouse vocals riding over massive beats. Several tracks, including electro thumper “Wet” and the island-flavored pop of “Right There,” feature raunchy, Rihanna-style numbers. There are also ballads such as “Powers Out,” a duet with Sting, and mid-tempo grooves like “Heartbeat,” which pairs her with Enrique Iglesias. Although the album lacks memorable songs, Scherzinger’s strong pipes and good looks seem certain to keep her star shining bright.